Singles qualification headlined today's action in Cuttack ©Twitter

Nine Indian players progressed to the women's singles main draw as singles qualification took centre stage at the Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Cuttack.

The results mean exactly half of the 24 competitors in the draw will be from the host nation.

The qualifiers will join the top three Indian seeds of Archana Kamath, Ayhika Mukherjee and Madhurika Patkar.

Pooja Sahasrabhude was unable to reach the main draw despite being the top seed in her group.

Sahasrabhude suffered a shock loss to Nigeria's Ajoke Ojomu and was later beaten 3-11, 13-11, 5-11, 12-10, 7-11 by Singapore's Tan-Llin Jassy.

Manika Batra was due to be the top seed but withdrew through illness ©Getty Images
Manika Batra was due to be the top seed but withdrew through illness ©Getty Images

Reeth Rishya finished second in her group as she beat Sri Lankan Chamathsara 11-4, 11-7, 11-9 but lost her match against Singapore’s Eunice Zoe Lim 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 9-11, 13-15.

Six out of the 11 players in the men's draw also progressed to ensure the home side will have a strong contingent in the knockout phase.

Action at the tournament is due to continue tomorrow.